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Check out this Ryobi 18v string trimmer troubleshooting guide if your tool has started to have problems…
If your Ryobi 18v string trimmer has started acting up, you might want to try several easy fixes before you consider taking the unit back or having a repairman look at it.
This Ryobi 18v string trimmer troubleshooting guide is all about how you can resolve the most common Ryobi 18v string trimmer issues and will point you in the right direction if your trimmer appears faulty.
Let’s dive right in:
Ryobi 18v string trimmer troubleshooting [How to fix your unit]
As I have mentioned above, a really easy fix might be all it takes to get your Ryobi 18v battery-powered trimmer/weed wacker to trim again.
Below are some of the solutions to try if your Ryobi 18v trimmer won’t work, depending on how it is behaving (the problem you’re noticing):
Ryobi trimmer stopped working
If you’re looking at a dead Ryobi trimmer, take apart the lower part- the gray area. You don’t need to take apart the handle so leave all the screws in the handle (in the yellow part) in place.
Photo: Courtesy
So you want to take out all the screws on the side of the gray area and the screws on the bottom part that hold the protective cover- they’re on the inside edge (4 screws, 2 on either side)
Photo: Courtesy
Once you get the screws out, the part covering the motor will come out- just nudge it out.
You’ll now be able to see the motor, the ground wire, the power wire, and the wire from the switch – and chances are, it’s this wire that’s broken(it’s a white wire).
Photo: Courtesy
The thing is this wire breaks quite easily in most Ryobi battery powered trimmers so it should be your first check if your trimmer has ceased working.
Now, what you need to do is just join the white wire to the red power wire and your tool will probably start to work flawlessly once again.
So cut its head to get a clean edge then splice off the two wires and finally attach the wires together in a good way- make sure you use the right tools and accessories (for example, a wire crimper and standard wire crimps)
Go ahead and re-assemble everything and see if it will work.
For the above steps, This YouTube video should help.
Ryobi line trimmer head keeps falling off
If your Ryobi trimmer head falls off repeatedly, it is normally due to the head failing to lock tightly when the trimmer is under use.
That being so, try these potential fixes:
Lock the spindle (we recommend you use Loctite)
You can get Blue Loctite then put some on the head to help lock the spindle.
In fact, for the most part, the issue is caused by weak threads-They may not be in good enough shape to hold the head when you’re using the tool.
Check the motor
Verify the tool’s motor is actually turning correctly (the right way)- it should rotate counterclockwise when you look at it at the bottom) because it needs to tighten the head when it’s running.
Otherwise, you’ll still have to check the threads.
Ryobi 18v string trimmer troubleshooting -Ryobi trimmer line feed problems including Ryobi 18v trimmer auto feed problems
Still in our Ryobi trimmer repair manual, let us now look at line feed issues.
Now, when it comes to Ryobi weed wacker line feed problems, there are a few remedies you could try.
We look at them below:
Ryobi 18v trimmer cord is stuck
If the plastic string is caught in itself and won’t come out further, you can start by taking the shield off then the green housing that is around the spinning part.
Get some cutters in now then cut the stuck cord to free it.
Another method you can give a shot to is freeing a little more line then use the extra bit to free tangled wire (it may be tangled terribly in there).
Lastly, you can see if you’ll be able to take the tool’s spool back out then re-wind it (on the spool).
In other words, simply unravel the roll and proceed to wound it in up again.
If the problem persists, get a replacement line for your Ryobi battery trimmer
Ryobi trimmer head stuck
Sometimes the trimmer suddenly stops and you might see that the string is stuck somehow.
Your first instinct is to pull on the string- but it does not always come out.
In this event, it is very likely the string is wound up badly in there and a possible solution is to use something like pliers or even vice grips to help you to pull at it.
Keep in mind that you should simultaneously be trying to unwind the thing out(as you pull it).
If you do not succeed, try to pop the cover housing the trimmer line open and again attempt to re-wind the line (around the spool).
Oh, and double-check that you have not installed the wrong thread.
You can search YouTube for Videos on Ryobi 18v trimmer head removal for step-by-step instructions.
Ryobi trimmer line will not advance (when using auto-feed head)
This could occur due to the following:
- Line has welded to itself.
- There’s insufficient line on spool.
- The line has worn too short.
- The line has tangled on spool.
Possible fixes
- Try to lubricate the line with silicone spray.
- Put more line. (Watch: Line Replacement in Ryobi trimmer line YouTube tutorial.)
- Pull the line while pressing the button.
- Remove line from the spool and re-wind. (Watch: Line Replacement in Ryobi trimmer line YouTube tutorial.)
Grass wraps around the boom housing and the string head
This typically happens when you cut tall grass at the ground level.
Possible fixes
See if cutting tall grass from top-down will prevent wrapping.
If the grass had become wrapped around string head, you have to remove battery pack to remove the grass.
Ryobi 18v string trimmer troubleshooting – Motor wont start when I depress the switch trigger
This fault can arise when:
The battery pack is not secured properly
Solution: You obviously need to tightly secure the battery so ensure the latch -on the bottom- of the tool’s battery pack is properly snapped into place.
The battery does not enough charge
Solution: Charge the battery – see the instructions that came with your model
The shaft is not connected completely
Solution: Confirm that the shaft trimmer is seated securely in the coupler (on its power head)
Ryobi string trimmer troubleshooting -Wrapping up
These are just some of the basic issues that you could encounter over the many years your Ryobi 18v string trimmer is likely to serve your yard edging/whacking needs.
Try them and see if you’ll get lucky, based on the fault that is preventing the tool from working as intended.
Don’t forget that Ryobi 18V trimmer’s warranty period is 3 years.
You can, therefore, opt to send it back instead of troubleshooting it yourself if the period is not expired.
Good luck.
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